Michael Donohoe

Michael Donohoe (February 22, 1864 – January 17, 1958) was an Irish American politician and businessman who represented Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives from 1911 to 1915. An Irish Catholic Democrat based in Philadelphia, he served two terms in Congress during a significant period in American political and social history, participating in the legislative process and representing the interests of his urban constituency.

Donohoe was born in Killeshandra, County Cavan, Ireland, on February 22, 1864. He attended a private classical school in Ireland, receiving an education that prepared him for both teaching and later professional pursuits. In January 1885 he became principal of a national school, a position he held until October 1886, gaining early experience in administration and public service within the Irish national education system.

On November 8, 1886, Donohoe immigrated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which remained his home for the rest of his life. In Philadelphia he entered private enterprise, working as a real-estate broker and engaging in banking and the manufacture of glassware. These activities established him as a figure in the city’s commercial life and provided the foundation for his later involvement in civic affairs and politics.

Beyond his business interests, Donohoe became active in Philadelphia’s institutional and educational life. He served as director of Northwestern General Hospital from 1893 to 1943, reflecting a long-standing commitment to local health care and charitable work. He also served as a trustee of Temple University, contributing to the governance and development of one of the city’s major institutions of higher education.

Donohoe entered national politics as a member of the Democratic Party representing Pennsylvania. He was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-second Congress and was reelected to the Sixty-third Congress, serving from 1911 to 1915. During his two terms in office, he participated in the legislative process at a time when the federal government was addressing issues of industrial regulation, tariff policy, and social reform in the early twentieth century. As an Irish Catholic Democrat from Philadelphia, he represented the interests of his largely urban constituency in Pennsylvania. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1914, bringing his period of congressional service to a close after two terms.

After leaving Congress, Donohoe remained active in public life and municipal affairs in Philadelphia. He was appointed real-estate assessor for the city of Philadelphia, serving in that capacity from April 15, 1919, to March 31, 1946. In this role he oversaw the assessment of property values in a growing industrial city over more than a quarter century, linking his earlier experience in real estate with long-term public service. He also sought higher municipal office and was a candidate for mayor of Philadelphia in 1931, reflecting his continued engagement with Democratic politics and city governance.

Donohoe retired from his position as real-estate assessor on March 31, 1946, after decades of combined service in business, health care administration, education, and government. He lived out his later years in Philadelphia. Michael Donohoe died there on January 17, 1958, and was interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania.